Google Docs Windows Explorer Integration (Ask The Readers)

Now that I have decided to run a computer system without local pdf reader installed I had to find another comfortable way of dealing with pdf documents. I'm currently using Google Docs for the purpose which is not that big of a nuisance because I have to open pdf documents rarely, and I have the web browser open most of the time to access Google Docs in just a few clicks.

One thing however that bothers me a little bit is that there does not seem to be a way to integrate Google Docs in Windows Explorer natively. Natively meaning without a software or application running in the background that provides that functionality.

I have discovered several programs that can be used to send documents from Windows Explorer to Google Docs. These include Quick Tools for Google Apps or Google Docs Uploader but their functionality is only available for as long as the programs are running.

I'm more looking for a solution that integrates the upload into Windows Explorer without a software running in the background all the time. Much like the Virus Total Uploader is offering. The program only starts up if the user selects the option to send the selected files to Virus Total.

The question is: Is there a way to integrate Google Docs into Windows Explorer without a permanent process in the background that is providing that functionality?

Update: recent versions of the Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome web browser come with a pdf reader that you can use to read pdf documents right in the browser. You can drag and drop documents into the browser or read online pdf files right away by just clicking on them.

This is more secure and also more private than using a third-party service like Google Docs. Users on Windows may also take a look at the excellent lightweight PDF reader Sumatra.

Summary

Article Name

Google Docs Windows Explorer Integration (Ask The Readers)

Description

Is there a way to integrate Google Docs into Windows Explorer without a permanent process in the background that is providing that functionality?

Author

Martin Brinkmann

Publisher

Ghacks Technology News

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About Martin Brinkmann

Martin Brinkmann is a journalist from Germany who founded Ghacks Technology News Back in 2005. He is passionate about all things tech and knows the Internet and computers like the back of his hand.You can follow Martin on Facebook, Twitter or Google+

PDF reader vulnerabilities are exploited during web browsing by using the browser plugin. Simply do not install or disable the plugin(s) and then when you browse by a PDF, your browser will prompt you to open it in an external application. If a site tries to exploit a vulnerability, click Cancel and you just avoided it. Don’t let vulnerabilities make your computer annoying to use.

About gHacks

Ghacks is a technology news blog that was founded in 2005 by Martin Brinkmann. It has since then become one of the most popular tech news sites on the Internet with five authors and regular contributions from freelance writers.